As British racing fans eagerly await the start of Glorious Goodwood on Tuesday, the hugely popular Galway Festival will get underway on Monday evening.
This seven-day festival features a thrilling mix of both flat and National Hunt racing. Here are my best betting tips for the opening day of the Galway Festival.
Galway Festival 2026 Day 1 Schedule
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 5:10pm | Galmont Hotel & The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle (Class 2) 2m½f |
| 5:40pm | EASYFIX Iggy Daly Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 2m½f |
| 6:10pm | Eventus Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden (Class 2) 7f |
| 6:40pm | Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap (Class 2) 2m1f |
| 7:15pm | Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap (Class 2) 7f |
| 7:50pm | Gra Chocolates Handicap (Class 2) 1m4½f |
| 8:20pm | Ray Dooley Monami Construction INH Flat Race (Class 2) 2m½f |
Galway Festival Day 1 Tips - Monday 27th July
6:10pm Galway - Eventus Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden Tips
Joseph O'Brien has got some serious ammunition to unleash at Galway this week, and ONE NUMBER (6/4) could kick off an excellent week for this season's outstanding trainer.
One Number finished second on debut to future Group Two winner Celeron, and was fancied by many heading into the Windsor Castle Stakes. From stall ten, Dylan Browne McMonagle attempted to slot into the larger group on the favourable stands' side of the track, but found no cover and virtually raced solo down the centre, which ended his chances pretty quickly.
In a slowly run renewal of the Pat Smullen Stakes last time out, One Number took a little too long to reach top gear, but finished his race well once he did to follow stablemate Dancing Destiny home in third. O'Brien's colt drops back into maiden company today, and I fancy the track at Galway will really suit this talented young horse.
6:40pm Galway - Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap Tips
Horses with National Hunt experience boast a fine record in this Premier Handicap, and EAGLE FANG (8/1) looks the type who could relish this sort of test.
William Durkan's six-year-old has proven himself to be a talented and hardy hurdler down the years. Eagle Fang has run in plenty of big races, but produced his best performances this spring, finishing second to Wade Out in a handicap at the Grand National Festival before a narrow defeat in another three-mile contest at Haydock.
Eagle Fang ran very well on his return to the Flat at Leopardstown in June, finishing second to the capable Gaoth Chuil in a maiden, before opening his account on the level with a straightforward success at Killarney two weeks ago. Considering he's rated 145 over obstacles, this opening Flat mark of 90 seems entirely workable, and this strong stayer will have no trouble seeing out this 2m1f trip.
7:50pm Galway - Gra Chocolates Handicap Tips
Jessica Harrington won this handicap three times in a row between 2021 and '23, and saddled the runner-up in 2024. She's got a couple of runners in this year's contest, and NOD OF APPROVAL (9/1) boasts some strong form with current favourite Darius Dark.
Harrington's three-year-old was only beaten half a length by Darius Dark at Cork in April, where the winner was getting almost a stone at the weights. Nod Of Approval was again beaten by the favourite when fifth at the Curragh last time out, but Keithen Kennedy had to come around the houses to challenge from the rear that day, and Harrington's gelding stormed home down the straight to be beaten by only two lengths.
With Kennedy's five-pound claim taken into account, Nod Of Approval will be getting 12 pounds from Darius Dark this evening, and Harrington's charge seems hugely overpriced on those terms.